The M1 uses a CR-2032 lithium battery to hold sounds, sequences, drum kits, and global settings in memory. When
"Battery Low (Internal)" or "Init Program" appears in the M1's display, the internal
battery must be replaced. When the battery goes dead or a new battery is installed, all sounds and previous data in the
internal memory are lost.

If the M1 and computer are not MIDI connected, the only way to restore this data is with a $100 US blank MCR-03 RAM
card containing your backup, or a $50 US Factory Sounds ROM card from
Voice Crystal, or at a local musical instrument store that services Korg products.

If the M1 and computer are MIDI connected, use a utility program to transfer the "Factory" backup file in the prog/combi download
to restore the original sounds, drum kits, and global settings. The "Factory" sounds are also a free download directly from
KorgUK.

The M1's MCR-03 RAM memory card uses a CR-2016 lithium battery to preserve its data for about
one year. When the battery goes dead or a new battery is installed, all data in the card is lost.

A trick to replace the battery without losing the card's data is to power on the M1 and insert the
card into the top slot first, thereby using the M1's power to preserve card contents while swapping batteries.

The M1's display indicates when a RAM card's battery is low.

A RAM card has three memory partition options, the PROG/COMBI option is recommended when using
the card as a Factory sounds backup. RAM card details are in the M1 manual pgs 16, 119-121.

to install the ram card battery:

Power on M1, insert RAM card into top slot. (to preserve card contents)

Slide out battery holder, noting battery's + side orientation.

Insert new CR-2016 battery in same orientation into holder.

Slide battery holder back into RAM card. (card may now be removed)

Slide write protect switch to "ON" to protect existing data on card,
or slide write protect switch to "OFF" to save new data to card.

MIDI-OX is a free but complex Win XP to Win 7 sysex utility. It sends a sysex sound file
(a bank of up to 100 sounds) from PC to M1 and receives a sysex sound file from M1 to PC (for storing) through a USB MIDI interface.

First, the MIDI interface must be connected and a driver installed for MIDI-OX to work.

Next, prepare the M1 for sysex file transfers from the "Just Bought A Used M1?" section below. This is a one-time task.
Alert: sending a sysex sound file from PC to M1 deletes and replaces any existing sounds already in the M1.

Finally, in MIDI-OX, follow these steps. (The MIDI interface must be connected.)

Save MIDI setup: type a name for the setup and click disk icon to save. Click OK.

Enable sysex: Options > check Pass Sysex.

Receive sysex bank from M1 (if saving existing sounds in M1): View > Sysex > Sysex > Receive Manual Dump. MIDI-OX will wait
while you go to the M1 and press GLOBAL, 7, UP until ALL DATA is visible in the display, G. Save the dump as binary (.syx) NOT plain text.

Korg no longer makes or sells M1 MPC/MSC ROM card sets. Most of the sounds from the MPC card inserted in the top
slot require the corresponding MSC card with new PCM waveforms inserted in the rear slot.

The internal 8-track sequencer records and plays back songs numbered 0 to 9. A song can have 1 to 8 tracks. A track can
have 1 program. Combis can't be recorded with a sequencer. A track's program assignment can be changed
within a song. Sequencer effect settings override the individual effect settings of each program. The length of a song is limited
to 250 measures. The size of a song is limited to 4,200 events (100progs/combis) or 7,700 events (50progs/combis).

A sequencer doesn't record the sound like a tape recorder, it records the hexidecimal number parameters generated when you
press keys. Programs used in a recorded sequence must be in the M1 in their previous slot assignments for the sequence to play properly.

to play a sequence:
SEQ, B, UP/DOWN (select song0-9 to play), START/STOP.

to record a new sequence:
(Set aftertouch to "Disabled" to increase notes per track: GLOBAL, 5, +, D, DOWN.)

SEQ, 0, B, UP/DOWN (select song0-9 to record).

C, UP/DOWN (select track1 to record).

F, UP/DOWN (select internal program00-99 to record on track1).

REC, START/STOP (begin at measure M002).

H, START/STOP (play track1).

C, UP/DOWN (select track2 to record).

F, UP/DOWN (select internal program00-99 to record on track2).

REC, START/STOP (begin at measure M002).

H, START/STOP (play track1-2).

to restore sequencer memory back to 100%:
Press SEQ. If there's less than 100%Free in the display, this trick will quickly erase all current sequencer songs and
sequencer patterns, restoring 100% available memory. (also erases progs and combis in slots 50-99, so backup first.)

An external software sequencer can also record/play only programs in 8 tracks. Combis can't be recorded with a software
sequencer. The M1's clock must be manually set to "External" for every recording session with an external
sequencer: GLOBAL, 5, D, UP (defaults back to "Internal" when the M1 is turned on).

The M1 must be in sequencer mode to record/play more than one sound with an external sequencer, because only SEQ mode allows
MIDI data exchange over all eight channels simultaneously. When a new channel for recording is selected in the external sequencer, the
corresponding channel on the M1 must be set manually: SEQ, C, UP/DOWN (select track/channel1-8).

Why use an external sequencer? Editing recorded tracks is easier and it's better for recording long songs.

A software multi-track recorder, like free open source Audacity, can record as
many tracks as desired playing M1 progs and combis for as long as desired. The actual audio from the M1 is being recorded and stored on
the computer, not the hexidecimal number parameters like a sequencer. Audacity can export the recorded audio as WAVE and AIFF, and
export as MP3, WMA, and AAC with free driver downloads.

A USB Audio interface, like popular Behringer UCA202 and
connecting cable, are necessary
to send the audio from M1 to computer. A USB MIDI interface can't send audio. There are no special settings to make on the M1.

The white lithium grease on the key-guides under the keys thickens and dries out over time. Unfortunately, the only proper
way to re-grease sticky keys is to literally take the M1 apart to reach the guides. This is a daunting task, far more difficult than replacing
the battery, and may best be done by a local musical instrument store that sells and services Korg products.

Try the easy "jiggle" trick.
With the M1 off, press and hold down the keys adjacent to the sticky key. Grasp the sticky one with the other hand and rapidly move it up and
down pushed to the left and right. The idea is to stir up the dried grease making it softer.

Remove 16 phillips screws holding the narrow long processor board and delicate aftertouch metal strips. Slowly and carefully lift the board/strips
unit up. The connector wires on the right side will make it stiff and difficult to flip over to rest on top of the large processor board. Be VERY careful with
the delicate easy-to-bend aftertouch metal strips and plastic framework, and do NOT bend the processor board.

The middle key-guides are now exposed. The sides of a black guide rub against the key as it is pressed, keeping it from wobbling. This is the usual
place that needs grease. Use a flashlight to visualize how the guide and key rub. Place a small amount of white lithium grease on each side of the guide
with the tip of a toothpick. Jiggle the key to spread the grease. It only takes a small amount if placed correctly. Do NOT break off the toothpick or drop
foreign objects into the key assembly.

Carefully reposition the processor board/mental strips unit. Plastic nubs must fit in holes to align each screw hole. Don't force or bend the
board. Carefully lightly screw back in place after ALL 16 nubs have been positioned. Not too tight, it's only plastic.

Slide bottom plate in at keys, then lay down over screw holes. Replace bottom plate screws.

If determined to do-it-yourself, there's a link below on keyboard repair with photos.